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Ruck Up ButtercupA podcast brought to you by Deployed Love talking Author: Ruck Up Buttercup
A podcast brought to you by Deployed Love talking about all things military life. Language: en Genres: Kids & Family Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E11 Courageous Kids: Supporting Military Families Through Activity & Resilience
Sunday, 19 April, 2026
Our Military Kids: Activity Grants and Courageous Kids Recognition for Guard/Reserve Families During Month of the Military Child, the host of Ruck Up Buttercup interviews Kara, a retired Navy veteran, longtime military spouse, and executive director of Our Military Kids, about supporting children in deployed National Guard/Reserve families and families of combat-injured service members. Kara shares her own Reserve mobilization after 9/11 with young children and explains how Guard/Reserve kids are often dispersed and overlooked compared to installation-based active-duty communities. The organization provides year-round extracurricular activity awards (from sports and music to driver’s ed and unique options like Japanese sword fighting), sending a “top secret package” that includes payment to the provider and a thank-you loop to donors. Kara cites survey data showing high stress during deployment and highlights benefits like stress relief, routine, friendships, mentors, family wellbeing, and boosted service member morale. She also describes the annual Courageous Kids contest (550+ nominations; 26 winners) spotlighted on social media in April. 00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro 02:03 Kara Military Journey 03:44 Why Guard Reserve Need Support 06:18 Mission Roots And Impact 09:39 Activities As Lifelines 13:27 Stress Data And Success Stories 15:13 Host Military Kid Story 18:26 Connection And Family Morale 23:54 What Grants Cover 25:22 How To Apply And Package 27:43 Thank You Card Loop 28:24 Impact on Families 30:21 Unique Activity Requests 31:46 Guard and Reserve Support Gap 33:41 Courageous Kids Contest 38:46 How Winners Stand Out 42:14 Sharing Stories in April 45:12 What People Overlook 48:04 Advice and Resources 53:08 Final Wrap and Thanks Reach us at ashleybrown@deployedlove.org Reach Our Military Kids at Facebook.com/ourmilitarykids Instagram.com/ourmilitarykids Linkedin.com/ourmilitarykids
